Main navigation

Whole Body Cryotherapy

I won’t lie to you. My idea of a fun time doesn’t include stripping down to nothing but socks and Crocs while standing in a chamber of -240° F liquid nitrogen gas for three minutes. Cryotherapy never topped my to-do list.

But when I got the invite to try the Whole Body Cryotherapy treatment at Complete Wellness NYC I was really interested.

I’ve gained a bunch (super technical term) of weight and I wanted to boost my metabolism so that was my reason for trying it. Athletes and celebrities use Cryotherapy treatment for numerous reasons. It burns up to 800 calories over a week, releases endorphins, improves sleep, reduces inflammation, smooths wrinkles and tightens the skin.

But probably most importantly, Dr. Daniel Fenster, the Clinic Director at Complete Wellness NYC (and for one day only my iPhone photographer) swears by the use of Cryotherapy to get your body into recovery mode and to ramp up your immune system.

Knowing the temperature would be colder than the South Pole did make me wonder if I would be able to last the entire treatment time. Luckily, Dr. Fenster chatted with me the entire time. There was also a television to keep me company as my oven mitt wearing hands hugged my chest.

If you were ever thinking about trying whole body cryotherapy, here are the three things you need to know:

It’s cold but completely manageable. There is a list of ailments that will prevent you from being allowed to try Cryotherapy but otherwise anyone can get through those three minutes. Even whimpy little me managed. Just think of all the click bait videos you sat through on Facebook. See? You got this.

You will feel a burst of energy afterwards. Hello, endorphins! When I left the office my thighs felt like I was sitting on blocks of ice. Every other part of me felt energized. I didn’t feel the cold of the New York City temperatures either.

There might be something to using cryotherapy to help with weight loss. I did notice over the next few days that stepping on the bathroom scale was a more joyful experience. Some people go for treatment more than a few times a week. But the $90 per session cost will make it a less frequent appointment for me.